The painter and illustrator, National Artist Martin Benka (1888-1971) was one of the most important figures in the founding generation of modern Slovak art, a generation which presented the life and myth of the native land. Benka's work emphasised the link with traditions and folk culture. He possessed a distinct style and succeeded in creating an oeuvre that was essentially Slovak - an epic celebrating his native land, its nature and its people. His mode of expression was unique, with emphasis being placed on decoration drawn from the folk art, customs and music that were the source of his inspiration and exploration. He was one of the first artists to draw recognition for Slovak art abroad. Alongside his substantial achievement in painting, Benka also undertook work of an applied character. Between 1936 and 1940 he devoted much effort to designing for postage stamps, dominant motifs being the people and their environment, the birth of the "Slovak State", M. R. Štefánik and anniversaries of the foundation of the Czechoslovak Republic.